Lieutenant James Strang Steel

Lieutenant Malcolm James Strang Steel, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He was killed in action in Tunisia, aged 24, on the 17th March 1943. He had been born in Chelsea, London and was the son of Major Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet Steel of Philiphaugh, Selkirk and the Hon. Vere Mabel Cornwallis, Lady Strang Steel. He had been educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge where he took a Degree in Agriculture and was a Member of the Officer Cadet Training unit from where he was commissioned in March 1941. In March 1943 his Battalion joined the Eighth Army under General Montgomery. Four days later they were involved in the Battle of the ” Horseshoe” at the Mareth Line,( The first action of the Battalion). Casualties were heavy, 16 Officers and 76 Other Ranks were killed and 5 Officers and 109 Other Ranks were wounded. In addition 5 Officers and 3 Other Ranks were posted missing or prisoners of war. The attack was a frontal diversion on heavily defended positions which allowed the New Zealand Division to carry out a flanking movement round the enemy positions causing them to retreat. The photo shows the ” Mareth Cross” which was erected to commemorated the Battle. It has been moved several times but is now at the Guards Museum, Birdcage Walk, London.